The Kyocera Echo is a dual-screen device which transforms from Android-powered smartphone to tablet, according to the Wall Street Journal. Echo will be announced later this evening at Sprint’s “industry first” event in New York City, say the Journal’s sources.

The device allegedly features a hinge which allows the two 3.5-inch touchscreens to move from a stacked to side-by-side configuration, with the tablet-like setup said to allow users to perform “multiple tasks on the two screens, or drag items from one screen to the other.” None of the Echo’s other specifications were revealed.

Since Kyocera has a patent application on file for exactly the same type of device as is being described (crude render pictured above), we’d say that this information sounds highly plausible.

Sprint is also rumored to launch its version of the HTC 7 Pro Windows Phone 7 QWERTY slider, the HTC Arrive, at the same Manhattan event, featuring magician David Blaine.

Source: Wall Street Journal, USPTO